Euro 2020 Qualifier Report: Republic of Ireland 1 - 0 Georgia

Dylan O’Connell reports from the Aviva Stadium

The Republic of Ireland continued their 100% start to Euro 2020 qualifying as Conor Hourihane saw the Boys in Green past Georgia 1-0 at the Aviva Stadium.

A free kick from the Aston Villa midfielder sent the Irish top of the group with a dominating performance on Lansdowne Road.

A lot rested on Ireland and Mick McCarthy’s return to Dublin soil after one home win since October 2017, and a year that saw the Boys in Green relegated in the UEFA Nations League.

Lining up in a 4-3-3, Ireland’s midfield, anchored by Glenn Whelan, owned the ball for much of the first half in what was an exhibition not reflected by the half-time score.

Seamus Coleman and David McGoldrick were marginally denied in the opening moments as Ireland clicked into an attacking mindset.

By the twenty minute mark, it became clear this was not inspiration so much as shared ambition as Ireland shot four times onto the Georgian goal.

Out of this dominance, Ireland nearly made it a perfect opening as McGoldrick teed up Coleman to launch an inviting ball just inches from the head of Hourihane.

Georgia, however, were not without chances of their own.

A cross from Otar Kakabadze needed a last-gasp header from Shane Duffy to clear the danger, and a free header from Kakabadze again called for heroics as Whelan knocked it off the line.

It did little to unsettle the hosts, as Ireland responded by making it 1-0 within minutes.

Guram Kashia tripped McGoldrick at the edge of the box, and Hourihane stepped up to bend it around the Georgian wall from 25 yards and the Aviva broke into wild scenes.

As the first half wound down, Georgia were handed an unlikely opening as Valerian Gvilia shot point-blank at Darren Randolph, who saved well.

James McClean knocked the rebound out for a corner. It was a startling finish, but Ireland survived and headed in with a one-goal lead.

The half-time break did little to break Ireland’s momentum. McGoldrick highlighted this minutes from the restart as his link up play allowed Robby Brady to find Enda Stevens at the far post.

It was a colour-by-numbers attack, of clear-cut passing, and Stevens neatly placed it for a charging Jeff Henrick to tap in, only for it to be ruled offside.

Georgia from their defensive line, found themselves restricted in attack as they were forced into audacious efforts. Otar Kiteishvili and Gvilia shot from outside the area to little avail.

McGoldrick should have doubled the hosts' lead as he bobbed the ball along to see passed Loria off his line, with the tightest of angels seeing the Sheffield United strike shoot wide.

McGoldrick was to finish the night in frustration, as defiant block from Guram Kashia cleared a shot destined for goal, but he was applauded when replaced by Matt Doherty late on.

It the same margins which would save the Irish minutes later, as Jaba Kankava nestled free on the left flank only to hit the post with his curling effort.

As Georgia grew in confidence, Ireland retreated into a defensive area flooded by the physical presences of Shane Duffy and Richard Keogh.

Ireland saw this through and Georgia weren’t able to force a shot, and Ireland did not mind as they continued their 100% start to Euro 2020.

Republic of Ireland: Darren Randolph; Seamus Coleman, Enda Stevens, Shane Duffy, Richard Keogh, Glenn Whelan, Jeff Hendrick, Conor Hourhiane, Robbie Brady (Aiden O’Brien 73), David McGoldrick (Matthew Doherty 81), James McClean.  

Subs not used: Kieran Westwood (gk), Mark Travers (gk), Sean Maguire, Jack Byrne, John Egan, James Collins, Alan Judge, Josh Cullen, Kevin Long, Harry Arter.

Booked: None.

Georgia: Giorgi Loria; Otar Kakabadze (Tornike Okriashvili 81’), David Khocholava (Levan Kharabadze 63’) Guram Kashia, Solomon Kverkvelia, Nika Kvkveskiri, Jaba Kankava, Otar Kiteishvilli, Giorgi Kvilitaia, Vato Arveladze (Valeri Qazaishvili 72’), Valerian Gvilia.

Subs not used: Roin Kvaskhvadze (gk), Giorgi Makaridze (gk), Nika Katcharava, Lasha Parunashvili, Giorgi Merebashvili, Vakhtang Tchanturishvili, Saba Lobzhanidze, Jambul Jigauri, Giorgi Navalovski.  

Booked: Jaba Kankava (15), Guram Kashia (33).

Referee: Serdar Gözübüyük

Attendance: 40,317.

Extratime.ie Player of the Match: David McGoldrick (Republic of Ireland).